Editor’s introduction.

I’m honored to receive John Friend’s first statement about the seemingly sudden departure of three of Anusara yoga’s most senior teachers, all in the course of a week. It’s been pretty earthquakingly big news for the yoga community, and rather upsetting for many in the yoga world.

Tempest in the teapot? Much ado about nothing? Yes, but…the notion of lineage and how he and we handle it is vital to longterm health of real yoga.

And that’s big.

For those of us “on the outside,” it’s still fascinating—how does yoga, or any tradition for that matter, evolve and remain strong and deeply rooted, with integrity, in the modern West?

Can we communicate about difficult times both openly and without rancor?

As you’ll see below, I found John to be willing to be both specific and clarifying. That’s not an easy feat—to be specific without causing turmoil, and clarifying without coming off as too positive or suppressing criticism.

At the end you’ll find a link to a simple offering poem of blessing to Elena Brower, Christina Sell and Darren Rhodes. ~ Waylon Lewis, ed.

~

Waylon Lewis, to John Friend:

There’s so many questions. As a journalist and truth-seeker I of course want to ask real questions [not just do a fluff love n’lightey PR piece]. That said, it’s none of our business, quite literally.

But the many people who know about Anusara want to understand…such a big change brings up questions, fears, many of them valid. Openness dispels myths or gossip. Though of course we can never make everyone happy.

So: to begin at the beginning: for those who maybe do a yoga class here and there, but aren’t “in” any scene or community, what’s going on? I understand three of your senior teachers have resigned or moved on, shoved off to another shore, all within a week or thereabouts?

John Friend

Yes, 3 top level certified Anusara yoga teachers resigned within the last week.

Without any context or insight into this matter it might seem like there may be negative turmoil in the Anusara kula.

However, I have been in regular communication with these 3 teachers, who are also my long-time friends, and this was a move to maintain their own personal integrity and the integrity of Anusara yoga. All three of these teachers have evolved their own styles over time, and now are wishing to be artistically independent.

This is exactly what I did when I branched away from Iyengar Yoga 14 years ago and founded Anusara yoga.

Essentially, every yoga school and style is distinguished by its philosophical view (darshana) and its methodology.

With these three teachers there grew personal differences of philosophy with Anusara yoga over the years.

So, to be truthful they could no longer use the name Anusara yoga to describe the philosophy or the technique that they were teaching.

We all openly talked about it, and so we are supporting each other in our own unique yoga styles.

Waylon Lewis

One of our many readers who sent me questions…asked if there could be or would be a sort of Anusara Emeritus status for such teachers no longer directly involved or fully involved but who had deep roots or connections, friendship with your kula [community] or path, the Anusara tradition?

John Friend:

Yes, if a certified teacher decides to resign or I suspend a license, then the teacher is always welcome to proudly say that they were highly trained in the Anusara yoga school and that they earned a teaching certificate from me. That fact is forever, and the teacher should be proud of that accomplishment since Anusara yoga certification is considered the most rigorous of all hatha [physical] yoga teaching certification programs in the world.

They will always be considered friends of Anusara [and] to me unless they chose not to be.

Also, I have a category of “Anusara-Inspired” for teachers who want to be affiliated at a good standard, but not at a level of a certified teacher.

Waylon Lewis

So: elephant’s mission is to help be an open forum for uplifted dialogue—whether we all disagree or agree is less important that that we can all be respectful. My general goal with this conversation is to get the “real scoop” out there, or at least what you feel comfortable talking about, not so that we can engage in gossip—but rather to clarify and dispel gossip.

Lineage is vital to the continuance of Buddhism, which I grew up in, as it is in Yoga. But even moreso in yoga in the West—it’s been huge business and there’s hundreds of studios and dozens of new traditions, if not hundreds [so lineage is vital to maintain integrity]. I think many of us are looking to you, as well as to Elena [Brower, one of the senior teacher who recently announced her departure from Anusara] and the others, as to how this “episode” or “situation” can help show us how to resolve such evolving differences in an open, kind, free but well-defined manner.

Has this been hard for you, emotionally, to see three dear friends and students leave?

Is it hard as a business (I use that word with respect—all yoga teachers want to live sustainable lives with “abundance” as many of you call it).

So will Elena, Darren, Christina be Anusara-inspired or some sort of formal title like that? Seems like it’s a huge part of their path.

John Friend

With all honesty I have actually been very happy and excited for this new cycle for all of us. I am still friends with these teachers and I expect to be in open communication with them in working together to positively expand the teachings of yoga worldwide for many years to come.

Of course, any significant change in relationship brings a sweet sad pain, yet I am using the intensity of these feelings to help bring stronger unity and harmony to the whole Anusara community.

It provides a good opportunity for me and our kula to refine and clarify the philosophy and method of Anusara, so this then leads to a greater integrity in the name of our school.

Waylon Lewis

Nice. I often feel that way in terms of challenges and confusions that arise within elephant’s growth as a (media) community—that they’re all opportunities to wake up and refine and learn.

John Friend

Elena, Darren and Christina will certainly have their own styles now independent of Anusara yoga, so they won’t license the tradename, “Anusara-Inspired”. At the same time, I am sure that they will use some of the Anusara method as a basis of their style.

That is part of the evolution. Yet, the philosophy and method that they are now teaching will be distinctive from the Anusara yoga school of hatha yoga.

Waylon Lewis

I should say that my teacher here in Boulder over the years, though I’m a bad, bad student, Richard Freeman, has seen many of his senior teachers “leave” so they could teach non-Ashtanga based yoga in their classes. So this sort of exodus or “moving on” happens in many communities.

John Friend

It is up to each of us to be honorable of our past and our lineage. It is important to give credit, honor, and praise to the gifts from the paths of our lives.

And, it is honorable to clearly distinguish oneself so that we are not unfairly or improperly representing ourself with a group name in order to personally advance when we do not align with that group in fundamental ways.

Waylon Lewis

This one actually comes from your colleague, my friend, Katrina: “Can you speak to your own evolution as a teacher? You left Iyengar yoga to follow you own heart, which eventually lead to the creation Anusara yoga. What does this say about the natural evolution of a teacher? Does it imply that at some point in their own evolution, that every teacher will branch off?”

John Friend

In my own case, in the early 1990’s I was expanding my career as a nationally-recognized Iyengar yoga teacher.

However, I had met Gurumayi Chidvilasananda in 1989 and my yogic philosophical viewpoint changed. So, by 1995 I was no longer teaching the philosophy that was fundamental to Iyengar Yoga, and therefore I resigned to be honorable and dharmic.

I still honor Iyengar Yoga and Mr. Iyengar, and I will clearly tell students about some of the specific gifts that I received from that school of hatha yoga.

At the same time, I focus on the blend of Shiva-Shakti Tantrik philosophy and the Universal Principle of Alignment of Anusara yoga, which clearly distinguishes Anusara from other styles of hatha yoga.

So, a student can evolve to a point along their path where the characteristics of his or her own style of yoga are now significantly different from the direction (name) of the path that they had followed for some time. So, their path is a new direction and thereby a new name, so everyone can be clear about what style is being promoted and respresented.

Waylon Lewis

Right, makes sense. But is this a financial consideration? I understand that Anusara, it seems fairly in principle (I don’t know the details), requires students who use Anusara‘s name, platform, site or books or DVDs or teaching programs have to pay 20%.

Is it that these teachers are “big enough” that they don’t want to pay it, they don’t “need” the Anusara brand? In other words, is this about business? Or is this, as Christina and Elena alluded, about dharma—differences in [spiritual] path.

John Friend

Good question…There is a licensing of the Anusara yoga name for teachers who met a certain level of standard in their teaching. The essential reason for any licensing of a tradename is to help maintain integrity and quality control in the marketplace. Anyone taking a class from a certified Anusara yoga teacher anywhere in the world can expect a certain high standard. Because of licensing the name of Anusara over the last 14 years, it has greatly helped to give students confidence in the name on a global level.

Part of the requirement for licensing is a nominal annual fee. Any Anusara yoga products that a licensed teacher produces has a 10% royalty incurred since we help to distribute that product, which always provides more than 10% return to the teacher. So, there can be a financial benefit to being a licensed Anusara yoga teacher because the method is in high demand by our many students worldwide.

If a teacher chooses to go on their own, it is fundamentally because of differences in philosophy and / or methodology, not because they can make a lot more money!

Waylon Lewis

Okay. I should point out that similar sorts of trades exist in my Buddhist community…local Shambhala centers for example support the mothership, the capitol so to speak, and the center or capitol supports the satellite centers a great deal.

John Friend

Of course, this model is throughout history and time…it works. It is the village concept: Sangham, kula…

Waylon Lewis

So: one recurring question or frustration was eloquently (actually, not eloquently at all) put by a community member I ran into just before talking with you at my local grocery store, Alfalfa’s. He said he eagerly went to read what was going on so he could understand, and (he was referring to Elena’s letter or comment, or both) was frustrated by the love n’light and thank yous but no specifics.

Many people share this frustration, and the articles on elephant have been no more specific. Everyone seems to be saying “it’s all good! it’s all love!”

Is this just spin, politics? I mean, these were major leaders within your kula or community? Can we talk about this evolution or change frankly?

John Friend

Yes, the resigning teachers have been kind and gracious in their resignations.

Both Darren and Christina told me that they are now devotees of Lee Lozowick and so they are focusing on teaching his dharma instead of the dharma of Anusara yoga. That is specific enough I suppose for now. Students will have to now go to their classes and find out what the philosophy of Lee Lozowick is all about.

Elena told me that she does not teach Shiva-Shakti Tantra nor does she follow all of the princiiples of the Anusara yoga methodology, so it was not honest of her to use the name to represent what she is teaching.

I thought all of their reasons were perfectly valid and honorable.

Waylon Lewis

Thanks for your bold clarity. It’s helpful and clarifying.

John Friend

So, there really is no bad blood between any of us, nor any “falling out”. It is simply a matter of integrity. So, it will be up to the former Anusara yoga teachers to clarify their new methods. It would also not be honorable to continue to teach a method with a high degree of fidelity and yet never give the method or school any credit or support.

Interestingly, none of the teachers who resigned said they disagreed with a single element of the Shiva-Shakti Tantra or the Anusara method. They all simply said that they are not teaching the method so it would be false to advertise as such.

I thought that it was a very dharmic act on their part to make that statement and then resign. I was proud of each of them as former students since it showed good ethics in my view.

Waylon Lewis

Right. Sad, but ethical and clear. So that seems good.

Any reason about the timing?

John Friend

Darren Rhodes recently published a yoga book and wanted it and all other yoga products that he is creating to be independent of Anusara. So, I think that he had to make a dharmic decision about his professional affiliation since the book was just released. Darren’s resignation was supported by Christina on the same day.

Once he resigned, then Christina, his very close friend and fellow Lee devotee, followed suit.

Elena told me that Christina’s resignation spurred her to re-look at what she was teaching, and it was then that she determined that it was not Anusara.

Waylon Lewis

Honestly this feels like a situation to me of, as the Karmapa in Tibetan Buddhism used to like to say, “Nothing Happens.” No drama. Or not much, in reality.

John Friend

Yes, I teach and live opening to the full spectrum of things—suffering, adharmic ugliness…and yet having an allegiance to the goodness, beauty and love in the world. Being inquisitive, respectful, and seeking harmony is what I also align with.

Waylon Lewis

I agree with that, you’ve always been fun, happy, positive and hopeful but still grounded and frank with me.

But the articles by your students, and by the departing people, seem really vague and positive, and many of the comments seem vague and positive…like folks don’t feel comfortable being simple and straightforward—as you yourself have been with me so far in this conversation: you’ve offered far more detail without drama in a situation that might seem on the face of it to be bad for you to talk about. So that’s leadership or a good example for all of us right there: we don’t need to be love n’lightey, that’s not real “Grace”.

One frustrated question from a elephant community member:

“Why don’t the people leaving feel free to openly discuss the actual philosophical or operational differences they have with Anusara. Why off limits? All reports so far are mostly sweetness and light “Everything is so wonderful we’re divorcing” pablum. These people were married to Anusara. What the difference between their approach to announcing this and political “spin”? I would say none. I’m not saying has to be rancorous, because it probably isn’t. But right now it all seems very ungenuine and false. Looking for a little truth & light instead of image politics.”

So…many folks out there seem to fall into two camps: 1) being super-positive about everything, almost Stepford wife-ish…looking on the bright side, no curiosity about what happens…and then others are judgmental, cynical.

I’d love for this, instead, to be a lesson for all of us that we can be inquisitive and questioning and respectful, not gossipy or drama-enjoying, but still clear about facts and how to improve or change as we go. Seems like you’re being clear with me and learning, changing as you go, refining the Anusara system and how it works as a business or brand.

John Friend

Yes, communication has been a bit vague and positive since that is what Darren and Christina have said so far about the dharma of Lee Lozowick and how it differs from Anusara yoga.

It seems that maybe there is an expectation that people divorce between of some deep conflict in the relationship. However…

I think that it is possible that people can shift and evolve their viewpoints in different directions without conflict or negative feelings.

~

Waylon Lewis

That’s a beautiful example for all of us and pull-out quote if it’s really true. Now that you’ve spoken I’m sure also everyone will be more relaxed about being open and transparent and positive, all at once.

John Friend

Yes, and it is not my place to speak for any former teacher about the specifics of their own view and method. I am simply relaying some agreed upon facts with the teachers about why they choose to go on their own.

Waylon Lewis

Perhaps this is a prana / apana kind of thing but, here’s another question from an Anusara yoga student: “Anusara has some pretty strict boundaries for its teachers (especially with the new approval being needed from the Anusara office for every media product produced by teachers and not being allowed to teach other styles), but we also teach about freedom and expansion. It also seems that many Anusara teachers or aspiring teachers are confused by the strict boundaries but teachings [about freedom].”

Part II of that question: “This overlaps into the philosophy world…Why did John bring Paul Muller Ortega in to teach his meditations when they do not represent acceptance of different ideas and methods as Douglas’s teachings do? It seems as though we have all been taught to find and trust the teacher within, but now we are told that we need to be initiated by a specific teacher (guru) in order to really learn to meditate. What am I missing? Does this have to do with why teachers are leaving?”

I should say that I don’t know anything about the above, but that in my Buddhist tradition we do commit to a particular path…doesn’t mean we can’t practice, say, Zen, or study Zen, but that we walk and complete and teach a particular path. This sort of commitment can be strange to Western students, perhaps.

John Friend

“Strict booundaries” is a relative concept. Since 2002 it has been in the licensing agreement for an Anusara yoga teacher to get approval to produce yoga products using the tradename Anusara yoga. I am also making the presumption that if you want to be a licensed Anusara yoga teacher then you want to teach and distribute yoga teachings that are representative of Anusara yoga. So, I do not think that the requirements to use the Anusara name are overly strict or unfair.

Waylon Lewis

Sounds good to me. IfI want to use the Anusara name or brand, what I’m offering needs to be Anusara.

John Friend

That is all. Simple, clean, honest.

Then a student who wants to take an Anusara yoga out of town can be confident in what they will be presented in that class…

Waylon Lewis

Yes. You’re building something that I have been feeling like is lacking in yoga in the West…a sense of continuity or lineage so that quality teachings will be passed down generation upon generation. I wrote about that concern recently.

John Friend

Yes, tradition and continuity of knowledge provides the platform to go to the next level in the upward spiral of consciousness embodiment.

I am not sure I understand [part II of the] comment…

Waylon Lewis

I think he’s basically asking why they have to learn and practice one particular meditation method, as taught by PMO….as opposed to Douglas’ view, which is more open of various traditions?

John Friend

There is no one particular meditation technique in Anusara yoga.

Waylon Lewis

Okay then maybe it’s more a question about PMO being focused on one path instead of many?

John Friend

Sounds like the person thinks that Douglas Brooks is more open than PMO to various paths. I disagree.

Waylon Lewis

So…what we have here if a focused effort by yourself to create a clear path. A brand that’s also a spiritual path. We’ve talked before about how making a decent living is something all of us want to do…so I don’t see a problem with the “brand” aspect, we’re all in the world, not above it.

Those who don’t want to teach that path or practice that path, that’s fine, maybe sad, but they need to be clear about what they want to teach. If it’s consistent with Anusara, then they’re part of your community. If not, then they’re welcome to, with love all around, move on.

John Friend

Right, it is just one spoke in the wheel. It is only one of many paths. And the path has clear delineations, so it can be more easily followed.

I am not saying that it is the highest path or the best path. It is just a clear path that will help to bring the student freedom.

Right…everyone is free to come and go. If you want to use the name Anusara yoga to teach classes, then that is fantastic and then are clear stipulations of our professional relationship.

Waylon Lewis:

To wrap up.

It seems that you’re doing a lot: you’re both yoga teacher, and spiritual leader in some sense, and business CEO all at once.

And what you’re doing is trying to create a clear system of teachings and a strong, joyful, supportive community with clear guidelines so they can walk that path.

My major concern or fear has been that “popular yoga” is too often exercise…with a little feeling of spirituality, but that’s it. And that’s fine.

But in-depth yoga, a path that involves meditation, that’s focused on stilling the waves of the mind, that involves more than a 2-week teacher training, that involves studying and practicing diligently for decades…seems to be fading.

So it seems like you’re trying to create a strong lineage (or brand, from a business pov) that’s consistent and offers quality, depth. What are you trying to do, generally, in refining what Anusara is and what it offers? Are you thinking about what Anusara and yoga generally will look like and offer in a generation, or two, or 10?

John Friend

My focus with Anusara has always been to make it in-depth, refined, sophisticated, and incredibly effective…with impeccable integrity. I also have seen a lot of popular yoga being too often exercise-oriented, so I have given special focus on the spiritual motivation of the practice.

I have consciously set up the system and the refining curriculum of Anusara yoga to sustain high quality yoga teaching and practice for many future generations.

Waylon Lewis

Thanks, John, on behalf of elephant’s readers, for your time. Hope I did an okay job of offering you a forum to clarify and communicate. We just passed the biggest yoga site in August in readership, so hopefully your clarifying answers will get out there pretty well. As a final “treat” for our readers, yesterday being Samhain—this conversation about honoring lineage and teachers seems appropriate—would you offer a brief haiku or poem or heartsong (in Tibetan, doha) for your friends Darren, Christina and Elena?

Waylon, thank you so much for this conversation. I am hoping it will help show people that there is a positive shift happening in the yoga world.

Waylon Lewis

Well, it showed me that. Really made a lot of sense.

John Friend

Ya, this is not suger-coating anything…that is the reality of what is happening in my world.

There is pain of change, but certainly no suffering. Things are better than ever in many ways.

Waylon Lewis

Personally, I admire how you don’t seem to feel sorry for yourself when there’s all this criticism, doubt or controversy. I get a lot of criticism (I earn it, I’m sure) with elephant and it’s hard on me, sometimes. I keep going, though. Beaver of Prana and I sat down recently and he said “It’s the ones who don’t quit who get to contribute to the greater good.” Really helped me keep going.

About Walk The Talk Show

Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis is fun, yet fundamentally serious. We aim to be "The Daily Show of mindfulness," spreading the good news beyond the choir to those who weren't sure they gave a care. Our videos are featured on more than 20 sites, including elephantjournal.com. Fan us on facebook too.

"I think that it is possible that people can shift and evolve their viewpoints in different directions without conflict or negative feelings" – JF

Imagine that?! Isn't it strange that folks are distrusting and even disappointed to find people can handle differences in a mature, honest and respectful manner and part with heartfelt appreciation for each other? Maybe even yogis have become too jaded in the modern age? Much success and happiness to all!

Thank you, Waylon and John, for talking in such a candid way. For me the timing of this is clear as John has been developing a teaching on the dharma of relationships over the past few years (that I am aware of), and brought it forth fully in a superbly attended workshop just a few weeks ago. It seems it is the time for everyone to get clearer and more integrous in the relationships that they hold. If the yoga community cannot model the ability to expand and diversify without rancor and with deep respect, then what do we expect the world to do? No doubt challenging and perhaps painful conversations were had, both inside the hearts of each of these people and between them, for everyone involved to clarify their vision (darshana) and sadhana, but that is the process of yoga, is it not? I often hear people on this site refer to Anusara as fake, shallow, cliquey, in some way, but to me this speaks volumes to the ability for clear boundaries and great, true freedom, to exist simultaneously. __I love the metaphor of growing up in a household. As you are younger, you need the clearly defined (hopefully) rules of the household and loving but firm guidance of the parent to feel steady and secure enough to eventually explore your individuality. As we grow older, it is a natural part of the cycle to develop different views and ways of being than the ones you were raised with. Eventually, you leave the nest, hopefully with great respect and love for those who have raised you and also the freedom to be your own person. Hopefully you go back and visit your relatives on the holidays and have a good time. Seems healthy to me! So thankful for this interesting, enriching journey.

So let me get this straight. I can spend four years and tens of thousands of dollars getting an Anusara certificate then I am put in a box having to align exactly with the method with little room for growth… meanwhile going broke in the process paying for trainings/hours, then I have to give proceeds for products that i make? Then as a certified teacher being the number conduit for student recruitment and top evangelist. Why not just convert the organization into a church and pass around the donation basket than trying to justify as business?

Would seem better to salvage these relationships with the top instructors and work on evolving the method and business strategy to create harmony.

Jiro, it is much like the way that Waylon aptly described Buddhism. Yoga is a lineage and John Friend has built a system, with great integrity I might add, that maintains a lineage and allows teachers to pass the wonderful teachings on to students and students beyond them. I have been a student of Anusara for 4 years now and it has changed my life in only wonderful ways. I have incredible teachers, many of them, and I can tell you that none of them would agree with what you've written above. (I should also add that I know of several other yoga schools that cost a lot more money than Anusara does for teachers.) They CHOOSE to align with this lineage because it resonates with them and because they want to pass these teachings on to their students, just as John Friend did to them. And those who reach a point where their own philosophies start to branch off from that of Anusara, just as happened here, are free to move on to follow their own path..just as John Friend did before them. I am one of 600,000 students who is beyond grateful for Anusara Yoga and the incredible tutelage of John Friend.

I can only speak from my own yoga and business experience and would not dare speak for teaches or other followers.
I actually think Anusara as a method is great and have spent many years practicing. I love my Anusara teachers too! When I did my Anusara training I was told that the Anusara was open to all…but seeing the reasons the teachers are leaving its clear that you have to fit within the scope…seems contradictory.

I don’t resonate with the blurring of this approach to business and spiritual lineage. There are great models to raise money for these types of organizations such as dana, dues, and subscriptions. It just seems unethical to tax teachers on products when they are trying to earn a living. Contrarily most organizations would pay money to have their logo on products as it helps spread awareness.

My personal experience with Anusara yoga has been fairly limited, but John Friend's gracious responses would make me more likely to explore Anusara in the future. I would hope that within the yoga community, we would be supportive of growth and change rather than treating it with suspicion and anger. Best of luck to Elena, Darren, and Christina!

Excellent interview. We can always count on John to be a straight-shooter, while remaining gracious and full of integrity. My experiences with John have only ever been wonderful, heart-filled, joyful..nothing but extremely positive. This man is pure heart. He truly is an incredible human being and a fair and profoundly inspiring teacher, who has not only changed my life for the better, but has done the same for hundreds of thousands of people. His gracious handling of this situation just further confirms for me why I am “Made for Anusara”- http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/06/made-for-anusara/

Well, the take-away is that in the end, after all the kissy kissy blather, it's all about marketing and money for Mr. Friend, and perhaps for those teachers who left as well. One of the traditions I follow holds that one should not rely on yoga for the majority of one's income because you'll be less likely to give students what they really need if you think it might upset them and reduce your popularity. Personally, I find Anusara's classes completely uninspiring and ineffective, but if people want to go to their classes, no skin off my back.

Hi Brad, I'm a Certified Anusara teacher. Having spent quite a bit of time with JF over the years, my experience is that he has consistently declined opportunities that emphasized money or marketing over preserving the integrity of our method and our community. Personally, I make my living teaching Anusara yoga, and my view is that my students benefit from my full-time focus on my craft. I've never found myself in a situation where I wanted to give my student what I felt s/he needed but refrained because I thought it would damage my bottom line.

Like many humans, Anusara yogins enjoy kissing. Especially people they love or feel grateful to.

I'd be the first, in fact was the first, above, to ask some real questions, tough questions, and get some real detail—despite admittedly respecting and liking John. I like nad respect him because, in my experience, he's walked his talk. If he stops doing so, as a friend, I'd call him out on it—as my friends do with me. Liking someone and being honest aren't obstacles—they need to go hand in hand. That's true friendship.

BTW, I have plenty of respect for Mr. Friend — as a great marketer and the originator of some very helpful yoga tips who is obviously very successful in what he does. I attended a weekend workshop of his and chatted with him afterwards back in the day, and practiced with the anusaris for some time. Sort of the same way I respect Bikram — but don't find their practices really fulfilling. That doesn't mean I buy all the talk of dharma coming from him these days considering that both those guys have a system devoid of any practices other than asana. Not even breathwork, for goodness sake.

For me the interview didn't get at the interesting issue, which is what the philosophical points that lead to the divorce are. Seems clear to me that it is in no one of the principles' financial interest to create a snit over this, and that's the simplest explanation that I can see from the evidence. You can't say that in public, but you can talk about dharma.

All due respect, but to your comment about Anusara not including any more than asana, that couldn't be farther from the truth. I have been practicing Anusara for 4 years now and am deep in the midst of the 6-month Anusara Immersion, which is heavily focused on philosophy, spiritual and meditative practices, which certainly includes breath work. One of the things which really drew me to Anusara (I had practiced many other types of yoga in the past) was its focus on Tantrik philosophy and spirituality. I was craving something more than just physical asana, which is why this has felt like such a great home for me. I realize and respect that it is not the path for everyone, nor should it be. We are all different spirits and we all have to be true to our own paths. But I can tell you that there is great depth, spiritual and philosophical, beyond just the practice of physical asana which resides in the practice and study of Anusara Yoga.

I meant in their regular public classes. You're right, I have no idea what is going on in anusara teacher trainings. I was referring to public classes labelled anusara, which in my experience, as recently as 2 months ago, have never taught even kapalbhati or ujjai, simple breathing or meditation techniques, or any such thing in a public class. If Anusara is catching up with the rest of the yoga world in their teacher trainings, good for you! But the fact is that Anusara teachers are all about the physical aspects of asana. Just go to a public class and count up how much time is spent on these other things, if any, and how much time is spent on talking about muscles. With all due respect, awakened, you are wrong.

Hi Brad, just to clarify so I don't confuse anyone.. the Anusara Immersion is for anyone, not just for teachers. I am not a teacher, nor do I aspire to be. For me it is just a way to go deeper into a practice that I love. But that said, while we do go deeper into all of the principles in the Immersion, it is based on all of the principles which are taught and reinforced regularly in classes. I have been attending public classes every week for the past 4 years, in several different cities, and I can certainly tell you that the focus is not just on asana. All of the principles which I am learning in greater detail in the Immersion, have been taught to me regularly in all of my public classes. Also, one of the elements for which Anusara is known is the teachings of Shiva/Shakti Tantra and with that in each class the teacher starts with a philosophical message and artfully weaves it through the class. As for breath work, all of my teachers are constantly telling us to focus on ujjai breathing, and we are often reminded when as humans in tough poses, we can forget to breathe! But it is not uncommon for us to do other types of breathing and meditation practices in classes as well. Each teacher has their own style and many of them incorporate their own meditation and breath work as learned not only through the Anusara teachings, but through other meditation practices as well. It really depends on the teacher and what the focus of their class is that evening. Anusara is known for its rich philosophical and spiritual component, which is what has attracted so many students to the practice, students who are looking for more than just the physical practice. Having been a practitioner for a few years now and having practiced with a variety of different teachers, including John Friend, I can definitely tell you that there is much, much more to Anusara than just the practice of physical asana.

I actually find Anusara quite heavy on philosophy, themes and tantric topics during regular classes and workshops (and I understand it's their rules) so it might be just the teachers you've met… Actually the reason why I'm not interested in immersions is that the philosophical/spiritual content would be more than I am looking for at the moment (I am basing this on the opinion of friends who attended them, plus the programmes published). I agree, however, that specific breathing techniques and in-class meditation are included to a lesser degree than in other styles. Although JF himself seems to appreciate, teach and include meditation.

I take exception to your phrase because I put a good deal of sincere effort into this—I care, as does John I think, far more about truth and the evolution of yoga in the West, or any wisdom tradition for that matter, than a PR play. I tried to ask tough questions—and I asked him some of the tough questions from the elephant community, if folks sent 'em in (I'd asked via Facebook, twitter, etc). I left questions and answers in that some might have preferred I take out, because I thought they were illuminating. I got most of the first specifics about what happened in this difficult or at least unsettling chapter in yoga in the West…and what we all can take from this…

…and then I get a three sentence condemnation from you. I guess that's why they advise never to expect any service to go unpunished.

Hi Sanja, I'm a Certified Anusara Teacher. I'm assuming you mean racial diversity. This topic is one I think about quite a bit, and in my opinion, the entire yoga community needs to work on diversity. My yoga studio is in a diverse community and our student body is diverse relative to other yoga communities, but I would very much like to see more people of color in yoga. If you have any ideas on how to get more people of color into yoga classes, please share them.

A powerful way to quickly improve diversity, as I've experienced at Naropa University, is to support scholarships. Yoga students tend to be inclusive, tolerant, passionate about equal and civil and gay rights—but the workshops and trainings are too damn expensive for many of us, from many backgrounds. ~ Waylon

Hi Anjali, I believe you misread the article. Here again is what John had to say about the royalty: "Any Anusara yoga products that a licensed teacher produces has a 10% royalty incurred since we help to distribute that product, which always provides more than 10% return to the teacher."

I very much doubt that Darren, Christina, and Elena's decision was motivated by money. I know Christina particularly well, and she is someone with a very high level of integrity.

Hi Emma,
You are right, the 20% number was not in the article – but that number has been buzzing around in Anusara circles for months. And there is nothing wrong with wanting to make a living teaching yoga – just that they all seem to be doing a beautiful job of covering up the real reasons for their departure from the fold.

My first teacher was Esther Myers. She was a devoted yogini, who constantly put her thinking, understanding and experience to the test, with students and other teachers. She never assumed that she had more knowledge, insight than any other teacher or student. I loved her for her courage to stand on her own two feet in a yoga world that is always looking for heros and leaders, She trusted her rigorous , experimental methodology to find what is "right" . Her studio continues to this day, and honors Esther, and the woman who inspired her, Vanda Scaravelli. Honor your own path. I respect John Friend for honoring teachers who depart from his path.Gert Anckaert

Since Cristina resigned in October her "letter of love" is in the Oct 2011 archive- it was difficult to find. I did not find her blog very helpful at all in fact she stated specifically in the next blog entry that she declined to define the so called "philosophical differences" that led to her decision to leave.

Great job on the interview, Waylon, and on getting it out there so fast.

Since I'm a philosophical kind of guy, what would interest me most would be a thoughtful article by a knowledgeable person about the specific philosophical differences between John and the departing luminaries. Not a contest, just an explanation.

Bob, doesn't it make you wonder just a little bit that Mr. Friend himself declined the opportunity to outline those differences himself, especially when those differences are part of the issue here? Who better to answer the question than him?

"Both Darren and Christina told me that they are now devotees of Lee Lozowick and so they are focusing on teaching his dharma instead of the dharma of Anusara yoga. That is specific enough I suppose for now. Students will have to now go to their classes and find out what the philosophy of Lee Lozowick is all about. Elena told me that she does not teach Shiva-Shakti Tantra nor does she follow all of the princiiples of the Anusara yoga methodology…"

His answer was essentially, well, if you want to know, you'll have to go ask them. No follow-up. Huh?

Hi, Doug. This actually seems fine to me–that John would decline to try to describe their philosophies for them. I would rather hear it from them myself, as I did in reading Christina's extensive and clear explanation at http://www.christinasell.blogspot.com/

As a certified Anusara teacher, and technically "on the inside", I would certainly be interested in the subtle differences as well. There's a lovely curiosity that comes from studying the philosophies, and many of us are inquisitive and fascinated at to the subtle differences between them. In a letter to the certified teachers, John explained that he as well was unclear as to the specific differences. Whether he gets it, or we get it, it doesn't really matter , does it? The differences are the beginnings of a divergent path, no matter what the differences are. They're not really any of our business, as I see it. These three teachers, out of their own integrity have chosen to follow a different path as they see it. John doesn't need to "decline" or reveal anything about their philosophical differences. He just explained that there are differences, and with love, those who have different paths go on their way. As I see your comments over and over, I see not love, but anger and cynicism. I'm sorry for that. I don't believe this situation is really filled with such mystery as we're all making it out to be. People make their own choices, there is no acrimony or mystery and to foster that diminishes us all, in all yoga styles.

Lara, what you see is what you see, and it says more about your vision than about me.

If John Friend is going to say that philosophical differences can and are in this case a basis for resigning certification, then it is a fair question to ask him to be specific in what he envisions Anusara philosophy to be, and how it might differ significantly from other perspectives. Otherwise he is declaring that differences matter, and yet leaving it to others to figure out what those differences are without taking the step of being clear on his own account. He has otherwise announced that he is 'going' to be more clear in the near future; why not take this opportunity?

It is a fair question, and not a hateful one. The descriptions of 'anger' and 'cynicism' are what you read into the words.

The question to Bob is, if this was an in-depth interview, then why did Waylon not follow up, in the interest of better understanding — especially for those listening who might have the same question on their minds? Not every teacher is as clear in their own minds as Christina.

Interestingly, Lara, you do not have the same things to say to Padma down below. My language in no way resembles hers, and yet your charge of 'anger' and 'cynicism' is directed at my comments, without any basis or reasonable justification.

Personally, I just haven't gotten to Padma's comment yet. You are absolutely right that her comment is even more inflammatory and negative than yours.

Doug, while you haven't identified yourself by his full name, I recognize your writing style. Am I right in thinking you are the Doug who was formerly associated with Anusara and is no longer? If so, I understand that you have a history of personal acrimony with Anusara yoga. I feel uncomfortable with the fact that you haven't been up front about it in posting your comments here. Lara, Jane and myself have been very open in these comments about who we are, so that people reading these threads with no prior knowledge of the situation can place our comments in proper context. A simple "I used to be an Anusara Certified Teacher but have not been for x years" would suffice. It seems incongruent that you are unhappy with the level of transparency or clarity from John but are not being transparent yourself.

Emma, it appears that your attempt to smear a person who voices criticism with innuendo and unjustified and unsupported accusations ("acrimony"?) is even more transparent than Lara's attempt. Is this an example of your Anusara path of 'dharma?' For some reason you are the second person to lavish special attention upon me, seeking to cast my comments in a sinister light.

Since you seem to be following my comments so closely, then perhaps you read my response to 'Sarah's' characterization of Gina's response on the EJ page with Amy's letter, where Sarah accuses Gina of "harboring hatred": I wrote in response to Katherine's comments above that:

"Witness just below, where Gina's comments that she is tired of the hipness and 'blah-blah' meet the accusation that she suffers from a deep-seated hatred and was just looking for an excuse to vent it. Apparently expression of one's views must be limited to the 'positive' and 'uplifting,' while any criticism is negated as judgmental, rooted in deep personal issues, and in this case 'anger' and 'hate.' I don't hear hatred in Gina's comments, but she gets tarred with that brush. That's a problem, especially with regard to the ability [of such responders as Sarah] to handle criticism."

It's obvious from your many comments (so many!!) both here and elsewhere on EJ that you have taken up the cause of representing Anusara and rebutting criticism.

Is this how you and your fellow commenters represent Anusara, to tar others with the brush of 'hatred,' 'acrimony,' 'acrimony,' 'sarcasm,' and so on when their opinions, insights and perspectives differ from your own? I repeat, how does that fit with the message of John Friend that you so enthusiastically endorse?

There are indeed comments in this thread that display varying degrees of sarcasm, disgust and otherwise strong language. My comments don't fit into that category. So what are you doing, Emma?

Lara,
Whether someone is feeling love or anger is not relevant here and I am not sure why you felt it was necessary to inject your opinion of the emotions Doug may or may not feel into this. Doug is only posing some thoughtful and curious questions. Perhaps you could give us all a brief explanation of what Shiva Shakti Tantra is. That at least would be a launching pad for some intelligent conversation about philosophical differences.

It may not be relevant to you, and I can appreciate that. I simply feel that the anger with which people are approaching this is maybe beyond the issue. Doug points out that this says more about me than it does about him. And that may be. They say that you often see in others what is really brewing in yourself. If this is true for me, then I have, through self reflection become adept at spotting it in others. An issue that is merely a fact sparks interrogatory tones and seems, to me, to be beyond the issue. I'm sorry but I just didn't get thoughtful and curious out of those comments. I guess me seeing one emotion is about as relevant as someone else seeing another. I wasn't trying to spur a storm out here, I just didn't think the tone served the cause of disseminating information.

I don't have any irons in this fire, but I have to admit, I am curious about different schools of thought on Shiva Shakti Tantra. It appears that there is something to be learned from this discussion. Does anyone have an explanation?

Apparently your seeing 'emotion' and divining the 'tone' is more relevant to you than addressing what was actually said.

I asked a question of Bob, and he gave his answer. Fair enough. Beyond that, who stirred the pot, and how did your own actions serve the cause of disseminating (or in my case, requesting) information? The question of 'tone' entered in only at the moment that you attempted to characterize it negatively.

In regard to your own response — "In a letter to the certified teachers, John explained that he as well was unclear as to the specific differences. Whether he gets it, or we get it, it doesn't really matter , does it?" — I have to say that well, in the opinion of at least a few people on this page, it does matter.

When John Friend treats this as an issue of both 'alignment' and 'integrity,' it is reasonable to ask for some clarity on specific differences from him. He is the one who has defined a philosophy of 'Shiva-Shakti Tantra' and made it clear that he regards it as being a key factor in deciding whether you are 'aligned' with Anusara — so much so that he praises the integrity of teachers who have determined that they are no longer aligned with it and have chosen to resign their certification.

To me it is not enough to say that you have to go to each person who resigned their certification and ask them what their own personal philosophical differences are that led to their resignation. If John Friend announces his own version of tantric philosophy and gives it a name by which it should be distinguished from others, then it is perfectly reasonable to expect him to not only adequately define it, but also be able to acknowledge and himself explain the specific points on which one either agrees or departs from the philosophy. Otherwise, how can you call it a philosophy, and how can you claim to be 'teaching' it or basing your system upon it?

The fact that other people are likewise asking for clarification on just what 'Shiva Shakti Tantra' is shows that they do not feel it was adequately explained to their satisfaction. The interview with John Friend was an opportunity to give at least some explanation. It is not adequate (as far as I am concerned) to say that people should go to Christina or others for an explanation. It is HIS philosophy, and he is the one to explain it.

I asked a question of Bob: why was there not a follow-up question when John Friend's response was essentially 'go ask them.' His answer was that it was fine with him that John declined to give any further explanation of his own. Fair enough. I am stating here as clearly as I can why I think a follow-up question was not only justified but called for.

If you choose to focus upon the 'tone' and 'emotion' that you divine in my words rather than actually take the words on their own merit, there is really nothing I can do about that. And I don't have to accept what you are projecting upon them, either.

I think that it is difficult in matters where there are philosophical differences of opinion to decide how much to say about another person's philosophy. I think that if John had offered in depth explanations of how Christina's & Darren's philosophy differed from his own, that would have been a perilous path, as they need to be able to speak for themselves.

To ask John to outline their differences with him is sort of strange. Ask them – let them have their voice in the matter. Perhaps they wish to offer it & perhaps not. The issue of John outlining his philosophy publicly is fine, but to ask him to outline someone else's seems inappropriate to me. I don't want anyone outlining what they think that I think. You know? They've chosen to follow their own path, so it is for them to represent it.

Everyone here is an accomplished individual with a strong voice. They can all speak for themselves. Perhaps philosophical statements from different teachers would be an interesting thing to see here on Elephant Journal… Peace, all…

Not what I was asking for. Simply asking for more clarity on the defining characteristics of his philosophy as a legitimate follow-up question. Others have asked about it too, so I'm not alone in this. But your thoughts are welcome.

i am a business woman, and i ‘get’ the ideas of the licensing and royalty process as a way of maintaining consistency and purity of the trademark and underlying philosophy of this style of yoga.

I also get why people — at a certain point — wouldn’t want to continue with paying royalties. And, I think this could be a valid reason to resign a license and a lineage on it’s own.

Likewise, it is no surprise to me that teachers evolve.

I think that this is the point of yoga. This is how yoga continues year after year after year and reaches new communities. Yoga is a living entity, and our experiences of it add to the mix. I am — every day — challenged and enthralled by my students, who teach me so much about what I do and how I do it and why!

As a trainer of teachers, as well, I actually push them to evolve beyond the regurgitations of our past trainings. Just because someone said it or put it in a book doesn’t make it true or real — or perhaps just not true or real all the time. It is up to us to experience it before saying “yes, this is exactly right!” And it may be right most of the time, and wrong some of the time anyway.

So, I train them to actively question why they are doing what they are doing. Why are you making this decision, what about these other options? We compare and contrast various styles (including anusara) and discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls of any given aspect of a style.

We still honor our lineage (I am in the krishnamacharya lineage myself), but we also acknowledge many lineages and the vibrant wisdom that they also bring to the table. We study, we question, and we experiment.

And this, inevitably, leads to evolution.

And because of this, it is impossible for me to trademark my certifications. All my certification is . . . is the simple study of yoga so that the teacher discovers and finds his/her own voice, and will synergize their knowledge with the needs of their students.

Excuse my ignorance on this subject…but Waylon this using Buddhist examples does not work here. John said that the resignees are going to teach "another dharma" and not his anymore!!! That this "lineage built by John, etc." Replace Lineage and dharma with BUSINESS. All of you act as though this is some precious jewel in Anusara…it is a business. It is clear that these highly regarded "masters" of anusara are leaving behind a path which clearly does not offer a way out of the darkness…hahaha. His disciple are shopping elsewhere.

Padma, it's interesting to me that you choose to see this situation this way. Of course John has built a business. But why do we say business like it's a bad word? To have found a way to help people out of pain, to delineate it in such a way that it is easily understandable, and then to spread it around the world sounds like a pretty good business to me. I know we all want to "stick it to the man" but I think we need to be careful of lumping any one with a business into the same fire pit.

To my eye, the three teachers who are choosing to move on are actually spreading more of thel ight that they've discovered in themselves with the world. That's been John's point all along. He doesn't claim to be an enlightened guru walking 6 inches above the earth. He's just a guy who's figured out an elegant system, an access road, that helps us see our own light, and then let it shine. That's exactly what these teachers are doing. I choose to see them as some of John's greatest successes of his business mission, rather than as people "leaving behind a path which clearly does not offer a way out of the darkness." Or was that a joke, since I see you added laughter?

Strikingly absent from this discussion — the timing of THREE senior teachers makes a statement in and of itself. Each of them chose to coordinate their resignation and do it publicly. The lack of acknowledgment points to a bigger issue than "Happy Trails to You". Obscurity, corporate double speak, and PR manipulation hides the larger story.

Raven…this very point you have clearly made is the basis of my above comment more or less directed to Waylon. The discussion here has been so PC spiritual. This is a business where the 3 of the top "Board Members" have publically resigned and decertified themselves. The problem EJ has is it does not want to piss anyone off least of all Mr. Friend. Business and authentic spirituality does not and will not ever work. There is no lineage here

I'm happy to piss anyone off, but that's certainly not my ambition. I'm sorry to see you so cynical about my intent. I like Mr. Friend because, in my albeit limited experience, he's been a straight-shooter who's willing to put himself out there in service. If he or I or you or anyone strays from that, we ought to compassionately call one another out on it.

I asked a number of hard questions and got the first straight answers, info about all this that'd been published anywhere. I'm frankly surprised not by your cynicism, which is welcome, but by your "PC" accusation. I think that doesn't match up with elephant, or myself, at all—in fact I'm usually the one getting raked over the coals by our PC-loving friends. ~ Waylon

I looked back at the interview, and the timing was not directly addressed. In the interest of full disclosure, I dropped out of Anusara many years ago. There have been many other teachers who have resigned their certifications over the years, but never so publicly AND jointly. That's why i question the level of disclosure.

This notion of "pain of change and no suffering"…as stated by Mr. Friend could be very well be interpreted as being very selfish and self centered. Is he speaking for himself or the three resignees or all of us? Which ever one, it is shows a selfish self centered disregard for the truth of suffering…..that is Waylon, if you want to use Buddhist examples

Thank you so much for this comment, which has no emotional charge for me here but now is helping to understand a subconscious behavior I've had recently, to be more brazen and vocal; and I've been called inappropriate for wanting to express how I really feel instead of sugar coating it to make me look spiritually evolved. I have found that I've been told by spiritual teachers in this same tradition, that I need to contemplate more and evaluate my projections, so that they conform to the teachers' singularly held perspectives.

I've known John Friend for many years, and he's extremely generous. I'm sure one could interpret any comment in ANY way, but when he speaks of "pain of change but no suffering", John is not denigrating suffering, or those who suffer. The distinction between pain and suffering is one that is frequently made in childbirth and recovery circles, just to name two. Here's a great summary of the distinction from Dr Stephen F. Grimstead's blog: "Although pain and suffering are often used interchangeably, there is an important distinction that needs to be made. Pain is an unpleasant signal telling you that something is wrong with your body. Suffering results from the meaning or interpretation your brain assigns to the pain signal." Obviously this transition is painful for all of us in Anusara circles. But we don't have to create an inflammatory interpretation for these events.

Here you can quote me…." Anything, anything at all, which keeps you from resting in the view of Bliss and Emptiness is Suffering…If your mind is percieving pain and concentrating on that pain then you are not maintaining the View. Hence you are perpretrating Suffering". Pain is Suffering. If you want to use this Grimsteads example then why dont we know that pain is as much a concept as the idea that we are suffering? Or is Mr. Grimstead saying that Pain being physical is more real than the concept of suffering?

Padma, as you know, the Three Marks refer to our tendency to overlay pain or obstacles with ego-centered drama. I don't think anyone's saying that samsara doesn't exist—I think he's saying "it is what it is"—it hurts or is sad but he doesn't need to feel sorry for himself or whatever reaction that might provoke further, extra suffering. You know all this.

Waylon…there is a small chance we are trivializing suffering in the same way that Mr. Friend may have been. My impression is correct. Mr. Friend wants it both ways and he nurtures that. He wants to be a Guru to those who allow him to be their Guru. He seems to hide behind free market capitalism. But his statement about pain and suffering is nonsensical from a Buddhist perspective. Pain is suffering. And as you say if he is referring only to himself in that statement then surely he is in no way a realized Guru. He is deluded as to the truth of suffering and is self centered like the rest of us. Give him a pass on that statement but it speaks volumes.

No one" owns" anything to do with yoga ,get real , this is only about business and ego and money. The way I see it is someone saw someone else make alot of money branding a style of yoga and goes out and does the same…….and so on and so on! Welcome to the corporate world of Yoga! Its laughable really.

Padma, I appreciate your response. yet I disagree that Anusara is a business pure and simple. No one who begins teaching yoga begins to make lots of money or rule the world. John's descriptions of his first years teaching were strikingly similar to every yoga teacher I've ever met. We all do it for the love of it. In the years I've known John, he constantly stresses that if people walk out of your class feeling better about themselves, then you've done your job. I admire that he's turned the upliftment of people into a business, but to hoen it down to that sole point, I believe, is to see the very narrowest scope of a mission that is bigger than that. I've always referred to John as "just a dude from Texas" because he's just a yoga teacher like the rest of us. There is no hierarchy about it. Yet, as the creator and disseminator of this system, he needs to be clear about what is put out there.

I understand your point about the "PC spiritual vibe" and I've read many comments to the same point throughout this thread. I do see that. It's hard to be as simply elegant and straightforward as John was in this interview. He's good at it. I have always appreciated that he uses everyday language to explain matters of spirit.

That is to say that authentically spiritual people can run businesses — ethical, profitable businesses.

I work to keep my business well within my ethical principles, and also work to make it profitable.

But, my business isn’t disseminating spiritual practices and information. My business is running a holistic health collective that allows healers of all kinds to work and support themselves in their chosen work.

I also teach yoga and train teachers, and I do earn money at it. So, it is a business. But i largely see it as providing a service for people, and also providing the space in which I can provide that service.

I can do that without taking advantage of people, without wanting excessive amounts of money (not saying that JF/Anusara is doing this, just saying, in general) or profits to do it.

I think it’s entirely possible to run a successful business wherein other people can also run successful businesses.

And how I do that comes out of my authentic spirituality and spiritual practices. I don’t think I’m the only person who strives for this.

Jenifer…your point is valid….you can be spiritual and run a "non-spiritual" business. The problem I see here on EJ is that many of the commentators and writers are writing articles which really only advertise for themselves and ultimately for their business. Spiritual business or psycho-spiritual hybrid businesses. They are getting free advertising and promoting their "business" here on EJ so there really is no open forum. Their hybrid versions of Buddhism are for sale right here on EJ and no one bats an eye. Lets look at all of the "Bloggers" here and see how many of them are here only to advertise their own version of some other tradition. Waylon advertises for them for free…why? This is anything but an open forum for discussion on yoga, buddhism, etc. The bloggers will steer all of their commentary to fit nicely within the confines of their business plan philosophy

Padma, wow, I'm a little shocked at your turn here. We explicitly ban articles that are infomercials. The only way, however, to improve our journalism, which should be improved though in my experience we've got a higher bar than other big open blogging sites, is for readers to pay a real subscription—then we can pay writers to do real, independent, authentic journalism.

Waylon…no turn intended…Lets do a survey of your contributors and determine what percentage of them write about those "issues" which deal with what it is they are trying to sell. My point is that they get free advertisement from you and compromise those discussions on spirituality, for the Everyman, by holding on to their business plan philosophy. The exchange of ideas is compromised by the unwillingness of the spiritual business types to to let go of their views to stay inkeeping with what pays the bills. Waylon…these are infomercials and you are letting them advertise for free. Now , I understand that it is only natural for these YOGI Psychologists and "Lets make Buddhism fit into my Business Plan Types" to regularly "blog" here and list their websites in order to further their business and exposure. Your EJ is being choked by its contributors who are trying to sell a method, yoga, buddhism, etc and whose responses are predictably never outside of their business plan.

Waylon…I would go one step further in regard to my aforementioned comment..that those individuals who have found their "spirituality" and are able to make a business of it limit their realization. Business or product is successful because of it's ability to continually produce the same quality of product..leaving very little room for change as is required by an authentic path. Did they discover an authentic path to practice first or did they discover a way to make money by selling an "authentic" practice? Those who do not make Buddhism their "business" could only be sincere in their practice because there would be no marketing and keeping people interested at the risk of losing the view.

I just noticed that my Dangerous Harvests blog post was linked to here, and thought I would add a few comments about the conversation with John Friend. First off, the little that I know of Mr. Friend and Anusara is held in positive regard. I don't find his work fluffy or superficially feel-good at all, nor do his comments above feel that way. In addition, although I don't believe we are getting the full story here, the gracious manner in which Mr. Friend is supporting the 3 teachers leaving "the fold" should be upheld by us in the greater yoga community. The repeated emphasis on their evolving practices and teaching as being exactly what happens when people are devoted to the path of yoga is totally right on, and such insight seems to be too often ignored or downplayed as yogis jockey for labels, recognition, and achievements.

With that said, something turned for me after this comment by John Friend:

"There is a licensing of the Anusara yoga name for teachers who met a certain level of standard in their teaching. The essential reason for any licensing of a tradename is to help maintain integrity and quality control in the marketplace. Anyone taking a class from a certified Anusara yoga teacher anywhere in the world can expect a certain high standard. Because of licensing the name of Anusara over the last 14 years, it has greatly helped to give students confidence in the name on a global level."

The near obsession these days with "standards" is deeply troubling to me. While there have always been teachers and groups who have broken off and formed their own variations on the theme, this focus on standardization, uniform curriculum, and the rest – in part driven by groups like Yoga Alliance, but in greater part driven by what I view as a trend in education towards a focus on maximizing results and measurable outputs above all else. I'm near the end of a 230 hour yoga teacher training program which has been a good experience in many respects, but leaves me seriously questioning whether this kind of model develops anything remotely close to excellent teachers. In some ways, when I look around at my fellow students, I see some people who already are gifted and have honed themselves enough through practice to offer something to others. Others seem barely able to do their own personal practice, let alone teach. And still others simply don't have the skills to teach, even if they might be wise in other ways. Yet, in the end, anyone who finishes will have that certificate and be regarded in higher esteem by the general public, regardless of their abilities and understanding.

Honestly, even if Anusara training is more rigorous than the average teacher training program, I really don't see these kinds of issues disappearing. Simply put, the more teachers and teaching candidates you have around, the harder it is to maintain quality control and integrity. And within a capitalist framework, where there's both implicit and explicit pressure to "produce" – in order to stay afloat financially, but also as a means of demonstrating success – it's likely that methods designed to support quantity of teachers over quality of teachers will be employed. My own studio's teacher training program, which I feel is of fairly good quality, has expanded probably twofold in numbers of candidates over the past few years. And why? Because people really like what they hear from others, and the studio is attracted to the financial stability from all that money the training brings in.

Perhaps some of this applies to the other discussion about Elephant Journal, but I'll let the rest of you decide if that's true or not, and just leave the words from my previous DH post as my comment on those issues.

Between student and teacher exists a relationship. The two must be totally devoted to each other, it's a kind of marriage and let's face it- some marriages are not meant to be. John Friend is a teacher with, in the very least, hundreds of students. In that light, this is an inevitability. In the end it seems natural for a student to "leave" one teacher for another. It happens in every type of school imaginable. BKS Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois are/were not exempt from this occurrence. Even if there are disagreements that caused the teachers to leave, I respect what John says about the departure. It's not that it in't a good idea to examine the "why", but Anusara seems like an open book. Please correct me with facts if I am wrong, but it's not like some cult where guidelines and expectations are not completely clear to anyone who wants to know about them. We are all curious about this situation, but unless someone was wrongly manipulated or hurt- It's possible that our need for drama is causing us to reading too much into the situation.
Also, you can read Christina's blog- which provides just a *little* more insight. All things considered- just to help with the "why": http://christinasell.blogspot.com/2011/11/few-thi…

This was really eloquent on both sides.
It really demonstrates the power of practice amidst contentious situations,
as well as articulate communication.
I am grateful for yoga, and very proud to be a part of this community.
Thank you Wayne and John.

[…] Anusara Founder John Friend, dubbed the “Yoga Mogul” by the New York Times, is making lots and lots of moolah thanks to seekers trusting him and his system to guide them to health, peace, maybe even spirituality and a sense of purpose. […]

[…] what they know? Why would a person leave the school that served them? Waylon Lewis, of the Elephant Journal interviewed John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga and posed some of these often difficult questions. The response from […]

John Friend Sucks, so does all of the branding of yoga. It also sucks that sanskrit words are bandied about frivolously to try and add credibility to some douche guru and some other douche interviewers personal spiritual zeitgeist. This interviewer seems to me to be helping John Friend along. Just come out and say it, Hey John three of your main teachers left, whats up? Nah, its been sugarcoated way too much. Oh yeah, anusara yoga sucks too.

[…] the so-called scandal about teachers leaving the Anusara community, then there was the subsequent interview of John Friend by Waylon Lewis, where John dispelled all rumor and innuendo. Next was the Lululemon and John Galt scandal, […]

[…] Christensen, have resigned from Anusara over the past few months. We talked about that, you and I, here. Then, on Friday morning, this jfexposed web site, an anonymous web site alleging all sorts of […]

[…] were the Lululemon Murders in addition to some of the other Lululemon controversies, there was the Great Secession from Anusara, vegans vs. everyone who isn’t vegan, the marriage of John Friend and Manduka and a panoply of […]

Well, it's a Buddhist reference to the Three Marks….suffering in this context means extra suffering. That it might hurt, be sad, but that we don't have to lay over suffering on top of that. Of course, I certainly am all about extra suffering and confusion, personally-speaking!

One of the most profound teachings I've received form John has been that pain is a fact and that suffering is optional. There's a subtle difference between the two and I love knowing that my own suffering is my own choice. Yes, there is pain of change. Nothing remains the same and we have really no choice in the changes that roll our ways. But, and this has been so lovely for me to contemplate and learn, the ways in which we cling to that pain and the ways we suffer or release are entirely up to me. The leaving of three teachers is of course painful to John and the community, but even in the fact of that pain, we've learned we can still wish them well, still hope the best for them, and still expand in our own ways. I'm so grateful John's teachings on suffering and glad he laid them out in that one quote. And if it gets us all talking about it, then that much the better!

Hi there, I'm a Certified Anusara Teacher. To quote my post below: "The distinction between pain and suffering is one that is frequently made in childbirth and recovery circles, just to name two. Here's a great summary of the distinction from Dr Stephen F. Grimstead's blog: 'Although pain and suffering are often used interchangeably, there is an important distinction that needs to be made. Pain is an unpleasant signal telling you that something is wrong with your body. Suffering results from the meaning or interpretation your brain assigns to the pain signal.' Obviously this transition is painful for all of us in Anusara circles. But we don't have to create an inflammatory interpretation for these events."

Totally understand about being invested in the method and thank you for your comments…

This is completely different than a song royalty and not sure how Asteya applies to paying royalties. You paid for your training, you learned something about it, you synthesized it, it is now derivative work…you should not have to pay to use the work you studied hard for and paid for. For example my graduate school advisor would not demand royalties for a book I wrote using material I learned from her. That’s because I paid the university for my education.

…AND to top it off the licensing contract is not outlined a priori. I was never given the terms of the agreement nor the details of licensing before I started the Anusara immersion or TT. The website merely alludes to a licensing agreement and to my knowledge the 10% has only been recently announced…so I feel a little jaded about this. It’s funny, I can go through Anusara TT and not go for certification and use all this content without paying dues or royalties PLUS I can blend in other styles; therefore, it seems like certification in Anusara is more constraining than liberating to me.

As far as applying Shiva-Shakti to this context, it is somewhat confusing as to how the marriage of Kashmir Shavism and South Indian Goddess tradition sets the standards of boundaries in yoga. It is my understanding that the core philosophy is about acknowledging the good in ourselves and others. So perhaps it means that Darren, Christina and Elena no longer follow the philosophy of intrinsic goodness.

I don’t think the implication of this exodus has set in for many students of Anusara… Elena, Darren, and Christina left all at the same time! These amazing beings collectively brought thousands to Anusara. I don’t believe any would abandon those that entrusted them into the method unless something was seriously wrong!

Therefore, this ‘exodus’ is showing me one of more of the following is at play: 1) that there is not room for the diversity; 2) personal disagreements; AND/OR 3) business disagreements.

Admittedly this has shocked my belief that Anusara is ever expansive as clearly these teachers are finding a ceiling in the method as it currently stands. Regardless, I will still go to my local Anusara teachers’ classes as well as go to Elena's classes at Vira.

John is referring to the PRODUCT of books that teachers are writing and DVDs they are producing, in many instances (but not all) through Anusara Press. Many of the creations of Anusara teachers are marketed and sold on the Anusara website and at workshops. I think the organization definitely deserves a percentage of the proceeds for marketing and distributing these products that help people deepen their practice of yoga.

Anusara, as a business entity, has a retail component. Many yoga teachers and methods offer yoga-related products in the appropriate context. This interview would not have been an appropriate context to talk about the new mat.

And, I think the mats are eco-made, for most part…we can get cynical and insulting, if you like, but it doesn't help anything. Constructive or fair criticism is welcome. That yoga connects with business is not news. Organic food is big business—doesn't mean I resent it for not being free (which, like yoga, it can me if I grow/do it at home!). ~ Waylon

I'm glad you pointed this out, Laura. I'm sure many people are not aware that Anusara has its own publishing house. Through their press, they give many yoga teachers access to the publishing and distribution of books that would not be possible otherwise. Of course 10% is fair for them to take when they are the ones who are doing the publishing and much of the distribution. I am a writer and I can tell you that many traditional publishing houses take more than 10%. This is just an extra added bonus that Anusara offers to its teachers who wish to produce educational books and/or DVDs.

Re: "I don’t think the implication of this exodus has set in for many students of Anusara… Elena, Darren, and Christina left all at the same time! These amazing beings collectively brought thousands to Anusara. I don’t believe any would abandon those that entrusted them into the method unless something was seriously wrong!"

I think you might be reading way too much into this… I am not affiliated with Anusara in any way apart from attending classes (along with other styles) but I have been reading Christina's blog for a long time, including going back through the archives, she is an extraordinary writer and thinker. I do not know her personally but it's been visible in her posts for a long time now that she is more and more interested in yoga as a whole, with Anusara becoming just one of the bulwarks of her experience instead of being the main drive behind it. I was not at all surprised to hear that her path took her beyond purely Anusara based development, you could see it was a long time coming thing. I understand that Darren Rhodes is her teaching partner and friend and Elena Brower is another close friend (and another not-purely-Anusara soul) so they may have shared their views for a long time and the decision of one might have easily spurred the same in others.
On this basis I genuinely don't see what's the hullabaloo is about and Ele's dramatic tabloid questions are completely funky in this context…

Hi Jiro, I'm an Anusara Certified Teacher. A few responses to your points:
1. I think John is pretty clear that the Anusara organization requests 10% on Anusara-related products because the organization promotes these products.

2. It is true that the licensing contract is not outlined before you do an Immersion. To be honest with you, I don't generally present my Immersion students with the Anusara licensing agreement at the outset of the Immersion, because the whole point of the Immersion is to deepen your understanding of Anusara yoga philosophy and methodology. Starting an Immersion is not synonymous with affiliating yourself professionally with Anusara yoga.

3. Anusara Certification is DEFINITELY constraining. We deliberately take on the boundary or limit of agreeing to only teach Anusara yoga, because we believe strongly in the philosophy and methodology, and believe that these limits actually create MORE freedom. If that doesn't sound appealing to you, it's probably not your bag.

4. If you check out Christina's recent blog about her philosophical differences with Anusara, you will see that in fact she doesn't align with the philosophy of intrinsic goodness. A quote from the blog: "Lee didn't care at all about whether things were essentially good or not. He sided, I think, more with the Buddhists on that. Life, he taught more than once, is essentially neutral." You'd be surprised to find how many people don't actually believe in Life's intrinsic goodness.

5. I think Herya puts it very well below. Christina and Elena have both had a diversity of interests for many years. Darren I don't know as well so I can't speak for him. Plus they are good friends above and beyond their professional association, and as good friends they might be expected to think similarly. There are over 300 other Certified Teachers on planet Earth, and if you go to Virayoga regularly, you have a ton of access to a ton of very talented, devoted Anusara yoga teachers. I know that 3 all at once seems like a lot, but really–the vast majority of us continue to be joyfully devoted to our method, each other, and YOU, our students. And hey–come take my class in New Jersey and you'll see an incredibly expansive, inclusive, harmonious community!

I deny deleting whatever comment whoever was referring to–there are other admins who could have deleted. We have a strict policy about trolling, bullying, insulting–those comments will get deleted. That said, our mission is all about constructive criticism and dialogue, just as is a healthy relationship. So criticism or questions are always welcome—being a meanie never is—it's not helpful to anyone, even the meanie her/hisself.

I August, according to traffic comparison sites, we did. I'm sorry to hear you think that's what "suck about this site," that our readers read it. Readership is important to us—our mission is to go beyond our choir and talk about important issues with humor, integrity, and personal passion to those who may not give a care about GMOs vs. organics, energy consumptioin, meditation, bicycling, political issues, dance, etcetera—anything that helps us to live a good life that's also responsible.

Sanja…I personally do not know Waylon. My point is only philosophical and not trying to expose him for anything. I just think he needs to take a look at the structure of EJ and see how it is mediocre in its ability to have discussions free from the "selling of spirituality"